For the North Atlanta gymnastics team, perfecting front handsprings and Maltese Crosses are of top priority. However, it is getting their team out there that proves to be its biggest challenge yet.

The team only consists of two members, sophomores Isabel Archer and Catherine Czabala, and is lead by coach Andre Regan. Being a team that only consists of a pair of teammates has been proven to be a challenge in getting the word out about the squad. “It’s a surprise to many when they hear we have a gymnastics team,” said Czabala. “Since we have so few members it’s almost like hanging out with a friend while doing gymnastics. It’s a good environment,” she said.

The squad holds practices at Buckhead Gymnastics three times a week where members learning new routines and new skills for competition meets. The goal is to get a score of 8.5 in one event in three different meets in order to qualify to compete at the state meet. Surrounding schools like Westminster, Lovett and Pace are common opponents at meets along with region foes Alpharetta and Pope. The North Atlanta team is the first gymnastics squad to represent the Atlanta Public School district. “Our goal is to do our best each day to represent our district and school,” said Archer. “We want to introduce this program to others and start a foundation for gymnastics for years to come.”

Aerials, dismounts, round-offs and Gaylords. It sounds like a foreign language but for the members of our school’s gymnastics team it’s the stuff that a strong and — and one day — a well-known team is made of.